Bioconversion and Performance of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) in Converting Organic Poultry Waste Materials into High Value Products and Fertilizers

The substantial waste generated from the poultry sector is a serious concern and it is very crucial to find a sustainable solution for its management. The present study aimed to utilize waste generated from poultry operations and convert into economically viable and sustainable products. The substrate used was the waste generated at hatcheries, poultry farms, and slaughterhouses, on considering kitchen waste as a control. The black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) (BSFL) to utilize the waste was explored as a biological tool to facilitate the waste management. The study's key findings revealed that waste from various poultry operations proved to be the suitable substrate for BSFL rearing, resulting in effective material reduction of 52.36%, higher (P < 0.05) bio-conversion efficiency of 31.84%, and a lower (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 1.25 compared to control group. Moreover, the process yielded a significant (P < 0.05) amount of pre-pupae biomass with higher protein level, reduced waste and recycling time to just 24 days, and produced residue with a high manure value and a C/N ratio of 37.5 in poultry waste. Further, the larval growth and performance were found to be dependent on the moisture and nutritional profile of the substrate which is higher in poultry waste. The microbial safety analysis demonstrated that there was a clearance of Salmonella load in the residue which indicate the microbial safety of residue. Hence to conclude, the novel method of salvaging waste using BSFL was efficient in converting the poultry waste into byproducts of high commercial value.